Basulta governors call for continued support for peace process

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 7): Basulta governors call for continued support for peace process

Governors of the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi have called for support to the on-going peace process of the government with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. In a press statement, OIC Sulu Provincial Information Officer Sonny Y. Abing III said the governors held a conference last December 2012 at the Governor's residence in Maimbung, Sulu where they declared a common stand on the peace process. They said participation of the citizenry and all stakeholders is crucial as results of the peace process will affect future generations. Among those present were Basilan Gov. Jum J. Akbar, Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan and Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali.

Tan said people in ARMM must be involved in the process because “we know our area more than anybody.” Tan added that peace is very temporary, “kailangan natin ng suporta ng lahat, we want a meaningful and lasting peace.” He said people in ARMM are enthusiastic about the peace process as “they want peace, and most importantly the kind of peace that can be brought about by these recent developments.” “Kaming mga governors ng ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) ay nagkakaisa, all for one, one for all kami kahit anong mangyari (The governors of ARMM will always be united),” Tan said. Sahali said lamented that his province tends to be left out in development efforts. "We must always move forward," he said.

Asked about the decommissioning of firearms, Tan said, ”If all firearms are decommissioned, sarap lumakad ng walang kasama (I'll have no need for security escorts).”

Abing also reported that the provincial government of Sulu successfully held a Mindanao Week of peace last December 1-4. This culminated with a forum on the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro.

Civil society groups, religious community, local officials and other stakeholders from Maguindanao, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi participated in the forum held at the Sulu provincial multi-purpose gym.

Present during the plenary session were MNLF founder Prof. Nur Misuari and Toks Ibrahim of the MILF. Atty. Jose Lorena of OPAPP, USEC. Nabil Tan of the Office of the Executive Secretary, Sulu district 1 Rep. Habib Tupay Loong, Commissioner of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Atty Edilwasif Baddiri, Bishop Angelito Lampon Apostolic Vicar of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and Sharif Julasiri Abirin, Grand Mufti of Sulu.

Attended by close to a thousand participants, the forum adopted a total of 14 resolutions that carried the sentiment of the citizenry and will be forwarded to the proponents of the framework agreement for consideration in the framing of the Bangsamoro government code. Governors Jum Akbar of Basilan, Esmael Mangudadatu of Maguindano, Abdusakur Tan, Sulu and Sadikul Sahali of Tawi-Tawi signed the 14-point resolution as taken up during the plenary session.

Tan expressed his gratitude to the governors, officials and the citizens that attended the event. “There is nothing that we cannot achieve if we are united in participating in the peace process," he said in Filipino. 1st District Rep. Tupay Loong thanked Tan for opening the doors of information for the people. “This issue is of great national importance that will affect the lives of our future generation” Loong stated. Bishop Lampon also expressed his support to any effort for lasting peace.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1421357289806